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Number of children in temporary accommodation in Scotland jumps by 10%

The number of children living in temporary accommodation in Scotland has jumped 10%, according to the latest government figures.

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Number of children in temporary accommodation in Scotland jumps by 10% #ukhousing

6,581 children living in temporary accommodation in Scotland, a 10% increase #ukhousing

Shelter Scotland warns increase in children living in temporay accommodation is “critical” #ukhousing

Between April and September last year there were 6,581 children in temporary accommodation, a 10% increase compared to the same period in 2016.

Overall there was a 2% increase in the number of families applying to the council for homelessness support, with 17,797 applications.

Adam Lang, head of communications and policy at Shelter Scotland, said: “Shelter Scotland has been warning for some time now that the situation is critical and with these figures revealing another increase in homeless children in temporary accommodation (up 10%) we need urgent strategic action to reverse this trend.


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“These are not just numbers, they represent thousands of people’s lives suffering the human tragedy of homelessness. Among them are 6,581 children without a permanent place to call home, which causes significant and lasting damage to their health, schooling and life chances.

“It is now time for leadership and strategic action on homelessness at a local and national level that makes a real difference on the ground for everyone in Scotland at risk of or suffering homelessness.”

Caron Lindsay, social security spokesperson at the Scottish Liberal Democrats, said: “It is heartbreaking that the number of children in temporary accommodation is going up.

“Both governments have failed these families – the SNP by failing to build enough houses, the Tories by cruel cuts to social security which have left struggling families at greater risk of homelessness.

“It’s time for the SNP to get to grips with the housing crisis and do what the Lib Dems have been saying and increase the number of houses for social rent.”

Housing minister Kevin Stewart said: “No family should face the insecurity of not having a safe, warm place to call home. While temporary accommodation can be a necessary safety net, we want time spent there to be as short as possible. That is why we introduced a cap of seven days for families with children and pregnant women in unsuitable temporary accommodation.

“While temporary accommodation is generally of a high quality – particularly in the social sector, where the vast majority of households are accommodated – we are committed to ensuring all temporary accommodation is the same standard as permanent accommodation.

“Our Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Action Group will look directly at how we transform the use of temporary accommodation and end rough sleeping. That is backed by a £50m Ending Homelessness Together Fund to drive change and improvement.”

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